Suspended ceiling tiles - asbestos?

jason_nevin

ormus wrote: »

Asbestos was banned in the 1970s.

This is a wholly inaccurate statement. Amosite and Crocidolite asbestos were banned in the UK in 1984 and Chrysotile asbestos in 1999.

jason_nevin

If your tiles were installed after 1984 then they certainly shouldn't have contained asbestos (AIB ceiling tiles contain Amosite which was banned in 1984 and its use stopped before then).

You don't need a survey to get them tested, just get them analysed. If you take the sample yourself it will cost you about £20-30. If you get someone to come round and take a sample it will probably cost closer to £100.

If you decided to take a sample you'll need a piece the size of a fifty pence. Double-bag it in re-sealable bags and take it to your local lab. There are labs in just about every major town. You can find a list of them on the UKAS website (look for asbestos testing laboratories).

If you want more info you can PM me

sonastin

Thanks Jason,

That is exactly the sort of info that I was looking for. I managed to find the dates for when it was banned but not which type of asbestos was used in ceiling tiles.

I'll have a look for our local lab and speak to them about testing but tbh if that is anything other than straightforward, I think I feel confident enough now about taking them down without specialist help.

If my boyfriend is still reluctant to do it (and I don't blame him for being wary if he's seen what asbestos can do) I might just take the ceiling down myself. The truth is I'm more worried about what my mother will do to herself on a stepladder than what asbestos might do to her in the long term!

Plasterer

sonastin wrote: »

Thanks Jason,

That is exactly the sort of info that I was looking for. I managed to find the dates for when it was banned but not which type of asbestos was used in ceiling tiles.

I'll have a look for our local lab and speak to them about testing but tbh if that is anything other than straightforward, I think I feel confident enough now about taking them down without specialist help.

If my boyfriend is still reluctant to do it (and I don't blame him for being wary if he's seen what asbestos can do) I might just take the ceiling down myself. The truth is I'm more worried about what my mother will do to herself on a stepladder than what asbestos might do to her in the long term!

how olds your mother? If shes say 65, let her do it anyway asbestos or not! won't affect her for 30 odd years. Sorry, only joking (I'm a sick puppy) DO NOT LET HER.

GrassFarmer

If you decide to go ahead (I would) DO TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS.

Given the age of these tiles (as has already been pointed out) they are extremely unlikely to contain asbestos. However, they may well contain other dust which could cause harm, even if they dont, they are likely to be dusty.

Read up on the full precautions if you are at all worried:
hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a2.pdf
You will only go to these lengths if you are sure you have asbestos. If not; a water sprayer used to damp dust before removing stuff is a sensible precaution.

And get yourself some decent protective equipment:
safetyindustries.co.uk/acatalog/disposable.html
(This stuff is rated for asbestos use; your local DIY store products will not be).
Disposable coveralls, a P3 respirator and goggles should do it (£15 +P&P) - 2 sets so that someone can hold the steps for you.

Have plenty of bin bags (you will need asbestos bags if you are dealing with asbestos) and have a good clean up with water to decontaminate after.

ormus

jason_nevin wrote: »

This is a wholly inaccurate statement. Amosite and Crocidolite asbestos were banned in the UK in 1984 and Chrysotile asbestos in 1999.

the really dangerous asbestos was banned in the 70s. yes, other types were banned later in the 80s.

and yes there is a load of PC twaddle talked about, re asbestos.
its become an industry.

keystone

ormus wrote: »

and yes there is a load of PC twaddle talked about, re asbestos. its become an industry.

:T:T

For pitys sake just take the wretched ceiling down - this has been gouing on for nearly a week.

Cheers

Tom_Jones

keystone wrote: »

:T:T

For pitys sake just take the wretched ceiling down - this has been gouing on for nearly a week.

Cheers

And possibly kill themselves, what a stupid statement.

keystone

Tom_Jones wrote: »

And possibly kill themselves, what a stupid statement.

Silly boy. Read the thread. Find out that the likelyhood of these tiles being asbestos is about 0.000000000001% due to age, find out that if you don't cut them even if they do fall into that small percentage they are safe, find out that they are so easily removed and disposed of anyway and then post another stupid scaremongering statement yourself.

Cheers

sonastin

keystone wrote: »

:T:T

For pitys sake just take the wretched ceiling down - this has been gouing on for nearly a week.

Cheers

I am extremely grateful for the advice and assistance that I have received on this thread, which has helped me understand what I need to do when the time comes to do it.

How do you know the ceiling isn't already down?